Locking device for push-pull controls



Feb. 7, i950 W. H. D. BROUSE LOCKING DEVICE FOR PUSH-PULL CONTROLS Filed July 15, 1946 g 7 IA 5 E 14 -II fig cz.

[kn/enter Patented Feb. 7, 1950 LOCKING DEVICE FOR PUSH-PULL CONTROLS William H. D. Brouse, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Teleflex Incorporated, Philadelphia,

Application July 13, 1946, Serial No. 683,361

3 Claims. (Cl. 74-502) This invention relates to improvements in the means for locking the manipulating handle for push-pull control devices used for various purposes where a free adjustment of controls is desired and the principal Object of the invention is to provide a simple form of means for looking a push-pull member in any desirable position by a simple rotative movement of the push-pull control handle so that the looking or unlocking and the movement of the control may be effected by this simple combination of a turning and sliding movement.

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novel arrangement and construction of a member mounted upon the control end of a pushpull connector element leading from a controlled device and having an eccentric or cam-shaped cross section, the said eccentric control member being slidably and rotatably mounted in an outer fixed tubular member having cam-shaped or eccentric cross sectional portions extending lengthwise and adapted on the turning of the inner member in one direction to engage in looking contact with the continuously formed eccentric-shaped member, and when turned in the opposite direction to slip freely in a longitudinal direction.

Another important feature consists in providing a cam-shaped member of tubular form to receive the end of the connector member and being compressed or embedded in a recessed surface of the connector member.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the novel features of the present invention, Figure 1 is a plan view showing the outer tubular slider assembly and operating handle for a pushpull control device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a framentary plan view showing a portion of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1 with the control handle moved to a different position, the tubular slider support of the push-pull member being broken away and disclosing the inner slidable locking member.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the slidable push-pull adjusting member and the eccentric tube attached thereto arranged inside of the outer eccentric tubular casing through which the inner push-pull member operates, the inner member being shown in an unlocked and longitudinally slidable position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing the inner tubular member arranged in a locking position within the outer tubular member.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal mid-sectional view of the outer tube showing in plan a pair of spacedapart eccentric cam extensions adapted to engage and interlock with the inner member mounted on the push-pull connector device.

Numerous forms of mechanically operable mechanisms having comparatively short movement for control adjustment are readily operated by means of push-pull connectors and a common form of such connector is in the form of a flexible cable which has an external wire wrapping arranged in spaced-apart equidistant coils which mesh with operative gear wheels. Such pushpull cable controls, as indicated by the numeral l, are usually arranged to slide within a guide tube 2 which may be bent to conduct the cable I around corners or curves.

Attached to the terminal of the guide tube 2 is an outer slider assembly tube 3 which is preferably formed of steel and is swaged inwardly as indicated by the numeral 4 to grip the terminal end of the guide tube 2 securely.

The tube 3 is preferably threaded at its outer end 5 and has mounted thereon the spaced looking nuts 6 arranged each side of a suitable panel 7 board or support I.

The end of the cable I extending past the terminal end of the guide tube 2 into the tube 3 has mounted thereon an enclosing tube 8, which is preferably steel. This tube extends for several inches over the terminal end of the cable I for a length greater than the maximum length of travel required of the cable in its push-pull operation. This tube 8 is rolled or otherwise compressed longitudinally so that its inner wall will be embedded between the coils of the spacedapart externally coiled wire 9 of the flexible pushpull cable I. Thus the tube is very firmly bound to the end of the cable. This can be accomplished in a very simple manner by sliding the tube over the wire 9, then running it lengthwise through roller dies which will deform its peripheral surface into cam shape, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

This cam shape is preferably in the form of an involute or an Archimedes spira1 and provides a longitudinal shoulder ID from which a sloping surface I l gradually merges outwardly to the circular circumference l2.

To the end of this tube 8 is secured a suitable operating handle, here shown in the form of a knob l3 provided with a knurled grip by means of which the tube 8 may be moved inwardly and outwardly to slide in the tube 3.

The tube 3 adjacent to its threaded end 5 is formed with one or more indents l4 which are preferably spaced apart a short distance and such indents preferably have a sharp shoulder which form shoulders IS in the inner wall which will engage with the external shoulder in formed in the outer wall of the inner tube 8, thus providing a positive. stop for the turning of. the tube 8, which the flexible cable I willreadily permit.

When the shoulder H) engages the shoulders l5 of the indents [4 the control knob l3 and its tube 8 may be moved inwardly and. outwardly with a free sliding movement within the tube 3, and when such tube has been moved to the desired position of adjustment a slight: twist. of the wrist of the operator in holding the knob i3 will turn the tube 8 within the tube 3 so that the shoulder I will move away from the: shoulder I5, and the cam surface II will, by the rotation of the inner tube, come in contact with the inner sloping or cam-like surfaces I6 of the outer tube 3 formed by the indents; M in its outer surface.

Thus a practically instantaneous locking grip is efiectedi on the control device which will hold the control cable and the parts operated thereby in a fixed position. indefinitely and against any accidental contact of the: operators hand with the control knob; When however the operator desires. to adjust. the. mechanism controlled by the push-pull device he simply grasps the knob and with a quick twist releasesthe cam-shaped inner tube. from: the bevelled. indents in the tube 3 and simultaneously pushes or pulls the inner tube 8 and cable. attached thereto. to a new ad.- justment.

A device such as. described is extremely simple but it performs. a very desirable function in providing a universal locking means: for holding the adjusted member.

The method of attaching the device to a con,- trol cable is simple as also is the assembly of thedevice in an aeroplane, vehicleor otherdevice where such a control may be used.

The preferred form of thepresent invention is herein shown and described as associated with a flexible push-pull cable but it will be understood that the member 8 to which the operating knob i3 is secured maybe in the form of a solid. rod having a cam or eccentric-shaped perimeter which maybe connected directly to a device to be operated or to any connecting link mechanism.

What' I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with a push-pull control member having a spiral wire wound upon its outer surface, of a metal tube encircling said spiral winding and having a, portion of its perimeter pressed inwardly to form a longitudinal groove curved eccentrically inward to an abrupt longitudinal shoulder, and an outer guide tube slidably encircling the aforesaid tube and having inwardly projecting circumferentially eccentric portions terminating in an abrupt shoulder to fit loosely in the longitudinal groove in the inner tube and to engage and interlock with the eccentrio. surface of. said groove upon rotation of the inner tube.

2. The combination with a push-pull control member, of a member secured upon the end of said push-pull member and having an involute perimeter portion of substantial length, and a tubular guide.- in' which the aforesaid member having an involute portion is slidably mounted, said tubular guide being formed with a plurality of longitudinally aligned and spaced-apart inwardly curvingsurtaces. eccentric tothe: inner surface: thereot to: interlock with; progressively increasing wedging action with the involute perimeter portion of the inner member at spaced points upon rotation thereof.

3. The? combination with a push-pull control member having secured theretoa spiral wire wound upon: its. outer surface, or a metal tube encircling. said spiral Winding and having; a' portion of its perimeter pressed inwardly; interlocking with coils of said winding to'lock. said. tube. to said push-pull control member and defining onthe outer surface of said tube alongitudinalinvolute perimeter portion, and" an outer guide tube in which the aforesaid tubeis slidably mounted having. inwardly projecting means adapted: to interlock with progressively increasing wedging action with the involute perimeter portion; of theinner tube: uponrotation.

WILLIAM H. D; BRGUSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,140,425 Wessoleck May25, 1915 1',630',213 Petry May 24, 1927 l,'Z:1'7/,948: Stokes June 18', 1929 1,759,354 Jackson May- 20, 1930 1,821,576 Potter et a1 Sept. l, 193-1- 2,'234,62'3 Grouse Mar. 11, 1941 

